Decapitated Issues Statement / Formally Charged With Rape

The Decapitated case has taken another step. According to The Spokesman-Review, all four members of the band have now been formally charged with rape in Spoken County. Guitarist Waclaw Kieltyka and vocalist Rafal Piotrowski have been charged in the second degree. Drummer Michal Lysejko and bassist Hubert Wiecek have been charged in the third.

In response to this, the band issued the following statement through their social networks:

An update – following extradition from California to Washington, the band has now been charged. We’d like to emphasise; the Spokane Police Department has pressed charges as procedural formality, without doing so, they would be forced to release band – this is not a conviction or any indication of guilt or innocence. Once again, we ask that everyone wait for each party’s case to be presented and await the court’s decision. With that said, whilst cases are being prepared on both sides, some facts are indisputable at this point – that the original officer who took the complaint from the accuser stated, “I do not have probable cause that a rape occurred”, and it’s taken a full 30 days to file charges, which is right up against the point at which the defendants would legally have had to be released.

The band firmly refutes the allegations and are confident that once the facts and evidence have been seen and heard, they will be released and able to return home.

Individuals who were present on the night in question with information about the case are asked to reach out to the defense lawyer, Steve Graham of Spokane, Washington.

10/5/17 Update:

According to the latest report from The Spokesman-Review, members of Decapitated are being extradited to Spokane County to face the accusations. First, drummer Michal Lysejko and guitarist Waclaw Kieltyka are being moved. Vocalist Rafal Piotrowski and bassist Hubert Wiecek will follow at a later time.

The the band’s defense attorney Steve Graham added the following, “We have witnesses that can testify to the fact that the accuser came to visit the band of her own free will and left on good terms… The accuser has a documented history of providing false information to the police dating back to 2014.”

“While we are not perfect human beings, we are not kidnappers, rapists, or criminals. As such, we strongly deny the allegations that have recently been brought against us.

We ask that everyone please reserve their judgement until a definitive outcome has been reached, as charges have yet to be pressed. Full testimony and evidence will be presented in due time, and we have faith in that process.

As there is uncertainty regarding a timeline for prospective proceedings and out of respect for fans and promoters, due to the severity of the claims, we have cancelled all planned touring.

All social media platforms have been temporarily disabled as they have been used as destinations for defamatory and malicious remarks. We would like to point out that the statements in the published police report were given prior to an arrest. At that point, no member of the band was aware of an active warrant being issued.”

Original Story:

For those who are unaware of the situation, Decapitated have had serious accusations placed against them. Following their August 31st show in Spokane, Washington the band was arrested on kidnapping accusations. They also had sexual assault accusations thrown at them. Their first court appearance occurred this week. Currently, all four members of the band are waiting in a Los Angeles jail for extradition back to Washington.

Local news station ABC7 from Los Angeles reported on the situation… You can learn more about by CLICKING HERE.

Furthermore, while speaking with The Spokesman-Review, the the band’s defense attorney Steve Graham had the following to say, “There is another side to this. We have witnesses that can testify to the fact that the accuser came to visit band of her own free will and left on good terms… Decapitated plan to fully fight the allegations that are brought against them, and we are fully confident that the other side of this story will be heard… I made it clear that I could get the guys up here (Spokane) ASAP and they would cooperate.”